elite (the 1%), at the expense of the working class (the 99%). That same ruling elite views law enforcement as utterly dispensable (see posts downthread) and will never invite law enforcement to become part of the 1%, contrasted with the 99% who view law enforcement as part of the 99%.

10. True enough. But they may not care whether they are invited to the table

so much as receiving a salary to protect it.

I hope that is not the case, but the privatization of our military leads me to wonder if there won't be anattempt by the elite to create the same kind of force among the police either through financial incentive or by circumventing them with their own trained force. If it's the latter they run the risk of creating resentment as was the case between the regular soldiers and the 'private army'.

I am sure that people of all walks of life and occupations will be called to draw a line and the results will bemixed, but I'm encouraged by what happened in the aftermath of Oakland's choice of violent response. The 'old' way was immediately frowned upon by the nation who has truly grown weary and fed up with violence, abuse of power and an unbending, unenlightened status quo.

11. Blackwater "Private Security Personnel" were "patrolling" the streets of New Orleans

...after Katrina in 2005.

"NEW ORLEANS -- Heavily armed paramilitary mercenaries from the Blackwater private security firm, infamous for their work in Iraq, are openly patrolling the streets of New Orleans. Some of the mercenaries say they have been "deputized" by the Louisiana governor; indeed some are wearing gold Louisiana state law enforcement badges on their chests and Blackwater photo identification cards on their arms. They say they are on contract with the Department of Homeland Security and have been given the authority to use lethal force."

<snip>

"What is most disturbing is the claim of several Blackwater mercenaries we spoke with that they are here under contract from the federal and Louisiana state governments.

<snip>

"As the threat of forced evictions now looms in New Orleans and the city confiscates even legally registered weapons from civilians, the private mercenaries of Blackwater patrol the streets openly wielding M-16s and other assault weapons. This despite Police Commissioner Eddie Compass' claim that "Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons."

14. Yes that is certainly ONE possible reality. However I think that ultimately,

Edited on Thu Oct-27-11 02:19 PM by Dover

as we continue to become the change, there will be little room for that old paradigm within the new one that's forming. It's like we are standing together and drawing a sacred circle around ourselves as we manifest the new reality. We are essentially creating and holding space for the new paradigm. And the circle is deep, wide and powerful.

Come gather 'round peopleWherever you roamAnd admit that the watersAround you have grownAnd accept it that soonYou'll be drenched to the boneIf your time to youIs worth savin'Then you better start swimmin'Or you'll sink like a stoneFor the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and criticsWho prophesize with your penAnd keep your eyes wideThe chance won't come againAnd don't speak too soonFor the wheel's still in spinAnd there's no tellin' whoThat it's namin'For the loser nowWill be later to winFor the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmenPlease heed the callDon't stand in the doorwayDon't block up the hallFor he that gets hurtWill be he who has stalledThere's a battle outsideAnd it is ragin'It'll soon shake your windowsAnd rattle your wallsFor the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathersThroughout the landAnd don't criticizeWhat you can't understandYour sons and your daughtersAre beyond your commandYour old road isRapidly agin'Please get out of the new oneIf you can't lend your handFor the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawnThe curse it is castThe slow one nowWill later be fastAs the present nowWill later be pastThe order isRapidly fadin'And the first one nowWill later be lastFor the times they are a-changin'.--- Bob Dylan

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